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[[Image:Apple-II.jpg|thumb|300px|The 1977 Apple II]]
'''Retrocomputing''' is the current use of older computer [[computer hardware|hardware]] and [[computer software|software]]
Occasionally, however, an obsolete computer system has to be "resurrected" to run software specific to that system, to access data stored on obsolete media, or to use a [[peripheral]] that requires that system.
[[File:Retrocomputing 2010 Athens Greece.jpg|thumb|Retrosystem 2010, a retrocomputing event in [[Athens]]]]
==
===Historic systems===
Retrocomputing is part of the [[history of computer hardware]]. It can be seen as the analogue of [[experimental archaeology]] in computing.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.2424/ASTSN.M.2012.17|year = 2012|issue = 119|last1 = Cignoni|first1 = Giovanni A.|last2 = Gaducci|first2 = Fabio|title = Experimental Archaeology of Computer Science|journal = Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali Residente in Pisa Memorie Serie B|pages=111–116}}</ref> Some notable examples include the reconstruction of [[Babbage]]'s [[Difference engine]] (more than a century after its design) and the implementation of [[Plankalkül]] in 2000 (more than half a century since its inception).
==="Homebrew" computers===
[[File:Mini C88 (31505391518).png|thumb|A Mini C88 eight byte homebrew computer.]]
Some retrocomputing enthusiasts also consider the "[[Homebrew (video games)|homebrewing]]" (designing and [[Homebuilt_computer|building]] of retro- and retro-styled computers or kits), to be an important aspect of the hobby, giving new enthusiasts an opportunity to experience more fully what the early years of hobby computing were like.<ref name="catb" /> There are several different approaches to this end. Some are exact replicas of older systems, and some are newer designs based on the principles of retrocomputing, while others combine the two, with old and new features in the same package. Examples include:
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* The Commander X16 is an ongoing project that hopes to build a new 8-bit platform inspired by the [[Commodore 64]], using off the shelf modern parts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.retrosummit.com/2019/09/24/project-commander-x16/|title=Project Commander X16 {{!}} Retro Summit|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=David |date=February 19, 2019 |title=Building my dream computer - Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayh0qebfD2g |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003145449/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayh0qebfD2g |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=[[YouTube]] |language=en |publication-date=February 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=David |date=September 12, 2019 |title=Building my Dream Computer - Part 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg-6Cjzzg8s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003145459/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg-6Cjzzg8s |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=[[YouTube]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=David |date=October 12, 2022 |title=The Commander X16 has finally arrived! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcWqMGju7fk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028140720/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcWqMGju7fk |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
*The C256 Foenix and its different versions is a new retro computer family based on the WDC65C816. FPGAs are used to simulate CBM custom chips and has the power of an Amiga with its graphic and sound capabilities.
==Software retrocomputing==
As old computer hardware becomes harder to maintain, there has been increasing interest in computer simulation. This is especially the case with old [[mainframe computer]]s, which have largely been scrapped and have space, power, and environmental requirements which the average user can't afford. The memory size and speed of current systems enable simulation of many old systems to run faster that that system on original hardware {{citation needed}}.
One popular simulator, the history simulator [[SIMH]], offers simulations for over 50 historic systems, from the 1950s thru the present. The [[Hercules (emulator)|Hercules]] emulator simulates the IBM System/360 family from [[System/360]] to 64-bit [[IBM Z|System/z]]. A simulator is available for the [[Honeywell]] [[Multics]] system.
Software for older systems was not [[copyright]]ed, and was [[open source]], so there is a wide variety of available software to run on these simulators.
Some emulations are used by businesses, as running production software in a simulator is usually faster, cheaper, and more reliable that running it on original hardware.{{citation needed}}
==In popular culture==
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==Education==
Due to their low complexity together with other technical advantages, 8-bit computers are frequently re-discovered for education, especially for introductory programming classes in [[Primary school|elementary schools]]. [[8-bit|8-bit computers]] turn on and directly present a programming environment; there are no distractions, and no need for other features or additional connectivity. The [[BASIC]] language is a simple-to-learn programming language that has access to the entire system without having to load libraries for sound, graphics, math, etc. The focus of the programming language is on efficiency; in particular, one command does one thing immediately (e.g. {{code|COLOR 0,6|basic}} turns the screen green).
It is possible to learn the basics of current IBM systems using simulation, without having access to a large mainframe.
==Reception==
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